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Liter is french for "give me some fucking cola!"

That movie is popular in here. I guess I should check it out.

I had a similar situation back in 93-94. I had a 93 plymouth duster and pulled out from a stop sign. The road was covered with rocks. A couple of miles away and 2 red lights later a car started to tailgate me on a four lane road. then he finally pulled next to me. he wound down his window and was screaming at me. I slowed down and he kept on yelling that i did something to him. We slowed way down and a police car was driving the other way and stopped. Here it turned out it was an off duty cop. he was behind me at the stop sign and said that I threw rocks all over his car. I had to inform both of them that it was almost impossible for my car to spin up the rocks because my car is front wheel drive. It would have to hit my car first and there was no signs of any rocks hitting my car. The uniformed officer took my license and insurance like I commited a crime. He let me go and told me to slow down.

That off duty cop really should have been charged with wreckless driving for the way he was driving. He got my attention by trying to sideswipe my car and swerving, because he was to busy screaming at me and not paying any attention to the road.

Here in WA, we have what's known as "$100 rooms." when i wrecked my first car, my 95 1st gen Neon, I was charged with Negligent Driving, 2nd degree. All i did was run a stop sign and t-bone an accord. Not negligent, just didn't see the stop sign. It was obstructed. (and i told them so.) Needless to say, cops want to stick you with whatever is most expensive. Mine was ~$600 in charges, but when you go to court, contest it nicely, etc... make 'em feel good about letting you off, and just explain the situation, you'll find that you can get away with anything for $100. (at least here in WA) In the same courtroom that day, in my case, some guy got off for $100 in a 2nd degree assault case, wherein he beat someone with a beer picher cause they insulted his girlfriend. Just goes to show you what our justice system is all about. The main idea is, just keep your head up. Imagine how great you're gonna feel walking out of that courtroom when it's all over. You can do it. This too shall pass, and be not afraid. We're behind you.

Maybe we should all carry small didgital video cameras with us so they can try explaining their behavior in court. That is if the sight of the camera doesn't back them off.

Steve

I know this is a little late, but it's something to consider. There's a service, called PrePaid Legal, which provides attorneys in these types of situations, etc.

I've been using them for over 5 years, and they've MORE than paid for themselves. I pay $16/mo, and I am covered. Unlimited traffic tickets, and {x} number of hours of legal consultation per month.

Two years ago, when I owned my Turbo Trans Am, I had over 14 tickets in 1 year. Know how many of those are on my record? None. PrePaid Legal took care of ALL of them.

(On a sidenote, since purchasing the Legacy.. not a single ticket -- ironic, since I drive faster now than I ever did.)

I've used them for other things, not only traffic citations. I've been sued, and they took care of that as well -- made the whole thing go away. Your $16/mo covers you for any actions taken AGAINST you (if you wish to prosecute, then it's your dime).

Just thought I would throw this out there.

As for the situation at hand, I've been in similar situations. Unfortunately, your only hope is to catch the officer in a lie. If you can get him and his buddies to fumble around on the stand with conflicting details, that will be your saving grace.

The bright side is, you left without any bruises.. my story, unfortunately, doesn't end that way.

Good luck!

Ya, actually I contacted that prepaid legal service. They were supposed to contact me but haven't yet. It's good to hear that they're worth it.

So any updates?

Well, wish me luck. I go to court tomorrow. I thought I would be able to reschedule (postpone) my hearing but they denied it even though I couldn't come up with the money to pre-pay my Lawyer! So I'm going it alone. I'm pretty nervous about it because I don't express myself very well under pressure. I either get quiet and mousy or I lash out and get really aggressive which doesn't go over big when go against the Law/ Government. I know I'm right but from biginning to end, I've been getting railroaded on this so I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that I'll probably be found guilty and then will have to appeal and hopefully come up with the cash to pre-pay for a Lawyer.

Phil- Uh, ya, August 1st, sorry.

Good luck man!!!

Wow... I've never heard of the first continuance request for a traffic court hearing being denied.

Good luck, Matt. Try hard to pay attention to what's going on, and bring a notepad and a pen to take notes... Even if everyone's against you, you can at least call them on any mistakes they make.

My hopes are with you.

good luck!

yeah man, good luck.. i think you've got some good kharma coming, i feel it...

we wish you the very best. after all, we're a Legacy family, right?

good luck, bro.

-=tristan

Woooohooooo!!! Guess who didn't lose their license, ME! Here's what happened:

I got there really early so that I would have a chance to talk to the off duty cop that chased me. When he showed up I expressed how sorry I was about what happened and if he would reduce the citation. He said no and was adament about it! He was mad like it just happened. He said I was a danger and how did he know I wouldn't do it again to someone else. He said I slammed on my brakes and flipped him off or some shit. I explained that I didn't slam on my brakes but that I was braking when he came flying in behind me and almost ran into me. Still he was unwilling to listen to me. So I went into the I know I was wrong and need punished but losing my license hurts not only me but my wife and 2 kids too. I explained that I work out of state and rely on my license for work and asked him to reduce the charge to Careless driving. That way I still get points and a fine but would retain my license. He said it was obvious that I did my research and that he would talk to the arresting officer when he showed up. So the othjer guy shows up and he's super cool and really nice about everything. He had no problem with doing it and I got it reduced to Careless Driving. My fine went from $280 and minumim 6 month suspension to $105 and 3 points.

Not bad at all!

I'm really glad it worked out in a way you're happy with, Matt. Nice social engineering.

Thanks Vikash! I am happy about it. Ya know, after we came to terms with everything the 2 cops and the judge were sitting around taking care of the papar work asking about each others wives and stuff like they're all old friends. I'm pretty sure I would have got railroaded had I tried to fight it.

Right on man.

Good news! Too bad you have to kiss their ass, but that's the only way to win with our shit-system (not that any other country seems better).

Steve

Heh, yeah... Like I was telling you before -- a lot of these district justices used to be cops themselves... You're probably right that you would have lost this round if you hadn't plea bargained.

When he saw you had done some research, the dirtbag probably realized that there was at least a slim chance that you would successfully defeat the trumped-up charge, which may be one reason he changed from being adamant about going through with it to agreeing on the lesser charge. It also helped that you successfully allowed him to feel like a big man above the law. Like I said, it was good social engineering. You manipulated him successfully to get what you wanted out of the situation.

It would have been better to get out of the situation with a dismissal of the case, but the cards you were dealt probably wouldn't have allowed for that (at least not without lots of headaches and waiting and running around to places to file paperwork).

Must feel good to have this over and done with.

WOOO, congratulations!

I knew you'd make it out..
good work, my friend.

-=tristan

i just started reading this and i think that hella sucks dick. good luck. it makes me think we should all bring voice recorders in the car. so if some jackass is yelling at ya just recored it and if its an under cover cop or what ever. just play it back right at them. that prolly would make them shut up. wouldnt you think so?

Thanks guys, It's a big wieght off my shoulders that's for sure.

Matt - Did you get my message?

Hmmm, I don't think so. On my cell phone or a pm?